Emoticons


	Emoticons are symbols used to express emotions.

The lack of body language, facial expressions, and tones of voice in correspondence (particularly casual) can cause mis-understandings. Emoticons (as well as abbreviations and acronyms) help clarify and express emotions. Often emoticons need to be viewed "sideways" to make sense.

Consider this phrase in different tones of voice: "That was nice."

That was nice :-) <said with a smile>
That was nice :-( <said with a frown>
That was nice :-Þ <sticking out your tongue>

Totally different meanings, clarified with an emoticon..

Creative people come up with new emoticons constantly; here are some of the basic ones..

:-)	smile
:-))	big smile (and you can make it bigger) :-))))))
:-(	frown
;-)	wink
:-Þ	sticking out tongue <hold the "alt" key down & use your number pad to press 0222 to make the tongue>
8-)	smile with glasses
:-D	laughing
:-O	"oh!"
Ü	a different smile (hold the "alt" key down and use your number pad to press 154)
{{{{ name}}}}	a cyber hug.